Thursday, March 6, 2014

CD Review: New Independet Releases Looking To Make An Impact On The Music Scene

From Chicago comes the latest release from the garage rock trio North By North. The new album entitled "Something Wicked" is available digitally and as a limited edition double-vinyl. It is the band's full length debut as they feel their way around the 18 songs that make up this new release.

Beginning with the quick 35-second grunge of "Run," the album takes off with the punk-like rawness of "Burn It Down" that has North By North tapping the vein of The Black Keys. They experiment with their sound adding a sixties-style organ riff to "Blood & Glitter," then come out swinging on the hard-hitting rhythm of "Hex X.O." North By North have a mainstream radio single in "Marshall Hawthorne" and find a great funky alternative rock groove with "Pitter Patter." The album closes with the big beats and big guitar riffs of "Eye Of The Storm" and the classic grunge-feel of "The Terror."

British singer/songwriter Stoney has taken up residence in Austin, TX to put the finishing touches on his latest album "More Than Animals." The album was released in January and Stoney is looking to build upon the success his music has found over the course of the last few years. His music has been featured in film and television including "Falling Overnight" and "American Idol" and was the runner-up for "Best New Band" at the 2012/2013 Austin Music Awards.

The new twelve song release begins with a little homage to his European home with the combination of choirs singing and industrial dance beats on "Sweet Release." Stoney shows a bit a swagger with the electro-funk of "The Score," before quieting down to a whisper for "We Belong." Stoney returns to rock out on the big beat of "Devil On My Back," then slows down for the gentle feel of "Albatross." The album closes with the fragile beginning of "Round Here," which gets taken over by hip-hop beats to give the album an energetic close.

To find out more about this unique singer/songwriter, please visit stoney.mu.

From Seattle, WA comes the new album from progressive alternative rockers Gumshen. Their latest release entitled "Progtronica" is exactly that, a combination of prog-rock and electronica music to create some interesting songs.

Beginning with the seven-minute "Bell Ringer," Gumshen tries to modernize their Pink Floydian sound with dance beats and spaced out keyboards. They change directions to a beats-filled, Weezer-type vibe on "Stipulation," before returning with acoustic guitars in tow, to a more Americana/rock sound with "Fine To Talk To." The album closes with Gumshen stretching out their music with the eight-minute experimental "Fragile We Are Castles."

To find out more about this band and their new album "Progtronica," please visit gumshen.com.